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Fitbit Versa

Fitbit has basically looked to bring the rich feature set as seen in its Ionic smartwatch but bundled in a more everyday 'lifestyle' kind of way.

- James Peckham, TechRadar

The king of fitness wearables learned some valuable lessons from its first smartwatch.

- Cherlynn Low, Engadget

Specs / Features

Specification

Brand

Fitbit

Warranty

24 months

The "1-Minute" Review

What's good

Sleek, small design

Lightweight

Bright, sharp screen

5ATM Water resistant

Excellent battery life

What's bad

No GPS or NFC

Lack of apps

“Smart” watch features very basic

Fitbit might be better known for their step counters and heart rate monitors. But after acquiring Pebble, they released their first “proper” smartwatch -- the Ionic. Now that they’ve had more time to study the market and adjust, they’ve come up with the Versa.Rather than stick with the blocky design of its predecessor, the Versa sports a smaller, curvier shaper. At a distance, it looks like a smaller Apple Watch. But it’s much smaller, measuring in at 1.55-by-1.48-by-0.4 inches.

It’s just the right size to look natural on men or women’s wrist. Weighing just 38 grams, you’ll barely feel it on your wrist.

It might be small, but the 1.34-inch display packs in a resolution of 300-by-300 pixels, making for a very sharp screen. It’s bright, making it easy to read inside or outside and comes equipped with an ambient light sensor to adjust the brightness for different lighting conditions.

Since it’s meant to be worn at all times, Fitbit also included a 5ATM water resistance rating so you can wear it in the shower or while swimming without worry.

Despite being called a “smart” watch, the Fitbit doesn’t have the brains of an Android Wear or Apple Watch. Most of its interface is focused on fitness.

You can view all stats such as step count, miles covered, calories burned, and heart rate with a couple swipes on the screen. Aside from daily tracking, you can also check out your weekly progress for better insight.

The Versa isn’t a powerhouse, but it performs well enough. With that said, reviewers noticed some stuttering when navigating through the menus.

As it uses its own proprietary OS, it can’t integrate as deeply as Apple Watch or Android Wear OS devices. This means notifications are incredibly basic. In addition, there aren’t a lot of apps available for the Versa, so if you’re hoping for a multimedia device you should look elsewhere.

Perhaps the two biggest features missing are built-in GPS and NFC payments -- though the latter you can tack on for some additional money.

While all of this might turn off techies, for those who simply want a reliable watch that can tell the time and provide workout information, the Versa is a great option. Since it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of other smartwatches, critics could get a full 4 days of battery life from a single charge.

Overall, experts think the Versa is a perfect smartwatch for those who don’t need advanced smartwatch features. Digital Trends states, “... the Versa gives you plenty of customization options and easily adjusts to your lifestyle.” Android Authority states, “If you need a smartwatch that doesn’t die after just one day, buy the Versa... If you need a stellar fitness tracker, buy the Versa…”

Critic Reviews

A leap forward in fitness trackers

If you are going to buy one fitness wearable this is it. It’s comfortable, tough, stylish and accurate, packed with features some more useful than others. The Versa is easy to use and while a weak smart watch it’s an excellent fitness tracker and if you’re already familiar with Fitbit devices it will seem like a welcome upgrade.

If you are going to buy one fitness wearable this is it. It’s comfortable, tough, stylish and accurate, packed with features some more useful than others. The Versa is easy to use and while a weak smart watch it’s an excellent fitness tracker and if you’re already familiar with Fitbit devices it will seem like a welcome upgrade.

The affordable Apple Watch alternative

Apart from the absence of GPS, the Fitbit Versa perfectly fulfils its mission. It will attract an audience looking for a complete and affordable wearable. Its design, battery life and companion app prove invaluable and make the Versa a practical connected watch for everyday use.

Apart from the absence of GPS, the Fitbit Versa perfectly fulfils its mission. It will attract an audience looking for a complete and affordable wearable. Its design, battery life and companion app prove invaluable and make the Versa a practical connected watch for everyday use.

A great option from a trusted brand

The Fitbit Versa is one of the most impressive smartwatches to date. Outside of disappointing app support, the Versa hits all of the major points while being a supremely excellent fitness tracker and smartwatch, all in the same package.

The Fitbit Versa is one of the most impressive smartwatches to date. Outside of disappointing app support, the Versa hits all of the major points while being a supremely excellent fitness tracker and smartwatch, all in the same package.

Superb battery life, extremely light

With its second smartwatch, the Versa, Fitbit has improved upon the design. Everyone will be okay with being seen with the Versa on their wrist, which can't be said of the Ionic's edgy design and large trapezoid ends. Plus, the Versa retains everything good about the Ionic (save for the in-built...More

With its second smartwatch, the Versa, Fitbit has improved upon the design. Everyone will be okay with being seen with the Versa on their wrist, which can't be said of the Ionic's edgy design and large trapezoid ends. Plus, the Versa retains everything good about the Ionic (save for the in-built GPS), including full waterproofing and a battery that lasts nearly a full workweek.

Excels at being a user-friendly activity tracker

The Fitbit Versa is an accessory I would totally recommend checking out. For $200 you're getting a solid fitness companion that also covers most of the functionality one would expect out of a modern smartwatch.

The Fitbit Versa is an accessory I would totally recommend checking out. For $200 you're getting a solid fitness companion that also covers most of the functionality one would expect out of a modern smartwatch.

Strikes a good middle ground design between 'smart' and 'fit'

Anyone looking for a viable smartwatch alternative won’t find the Versa any better than the Gears, the Wear OS watches, or the Apples Watches of the world. In my case, the search for a simpler wearable life doesn’t end with Fitbit’s latest device. This watch just reminds me why I moved on i...More

Anyone looking for a viable smartwatch alternative won’t find the Versa any better than the Gears, the Wear OS watches, or the Apples Watches of the world. In my case, the search for a simpler wearable life doesn’t end with Fitbit’s latest device. This watch just reminds me why I moved on in the first place, after Fitbit got rid the one I had on my wrist already.

Getting into the smartwatch groove

If you can live without GPS, and are happy to take just the basics as far as phone and notification interactions go, then the Fitbit Versa is a very good deal indeed – especially at that starting price of US$199.99. The wearable has its faults, but it gets a lot right, and actually looks the part too.

If you can live without GPS, and are happy to take just the basics as far as phone and notification interactions go, then the Fitbit Versa is a very good deal indeed – especially at that starting price of US$199.99. The wearable has its faults, but it gets a lot right, and actually looks the part too.

A versa-tile smartwatch

The Versa is stylish, attractive and probably Fitbit's best-looking fitness tracker to date. The display is bright and vibrant and there are a few good features to make you like it. You also get a terrific battery life that is pretty uncommon in smartwatches right now.

The Versa is stylish, attractive and probably Fitbit's best-looking fitness tracker to date. The display is bright and vibrant and there are a few good features to make you like it. You also get a terrific battery life that is pretty uncommon in smartwatches right now.

Less is more

The Fitbit Versa is a great example of refinement, in form and function of Fitbit's smartwatch aspirations. It's a top-notch tool for tracking fitness and health, one that can be used in runs, when swimming and 24/7 for excellent sleep tracking.

The Fitbit Versa is a great example of refinement, in form and function of Fitbit's smartwatch aspirations. It's a top-notch tool for tracking fitness and health, one that can be used in runs, when swimming and 24/7 for excellent sleep tracking.

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